Chumley Stella's Spice 'N Easy Spice Information Spice Encyclopedia Medicinal Spices Spice Dictionary

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum )
This spice is considered to be one of the most aromatic and belongs to the laurel
family. There are thought to be as many as 250 different species of cinnamon. To
get cinnamon bark to have the familiar curls called quills, new shoot bark is slit
during the wet season. The shoots are then split and are peeled to form the
quills. Most cinnamon is just peeled bark in chips. There is a spongy outer part
which is removed. Cinnamon can be found in Chinese literature dating back to
2800 B.C. Egyptians used it in the embalming process. In ancient times cinnamon
was considered more precious than gold, which probably explains why Rome had
money problems after Nero burnt a year's supply on his wife's funeral pyre.
Powdered cinnamon loses it's flavor after being opened and the tough bark is
difficult to grind.
Curative Qualities: The primary chemical constituents of this herb include
cinnamaldehyde, gum, tannin, mannitol, coumarins, and essential oils (aldehydes,
eugenol, pinene). Recent studies show that cinnamon enhances the ability of
insulin to metabolize glucose, helping to control blood sugar levels. Recent
studies have determined that consuming as little as one-half teaspoon of
Cinnamon each day may reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
by as much as 20% in Type II diabetes patients who are not taking insulin.
Cinnamon also has antiseptic and astringent properties. A study at the Smell and
Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, conducted by Alan Hirsch,
M.D, discovered cinnamon scored high as an aphrodisiac for men.
Aroma: Sweet and fragrant.
Character: Warm and aromatic.
Heat Level: 3

Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllus)
Cloves are the dried, immature flower bud from a tropical tree belonging to the
myrtle family. Their name came from the fact that they resemble nails, for which in
Latin is clavus. They have a very strong flavor which is why they are usually used
sparingly. Toothache sufferers from earlier times found out how strong and
powerful cloves are. Clove mixtures were used to ease tooth pain and for
temporary fillings. In ancient China, one had to have a few cloves in their mouth
when speaking to the Emperor. Powdered cloves lose their flavor quickly.
Curative Qualities: Cloves contain eugenol, an effective local anesthetic,
caryophyllene, and tannins. Folklore says that sucking on two whole Cloves
without chewing or swallowing them helps to curb the desire for alcohol.
Traditional Chinese physicians have long used cloves to treat indigestion,
diarrhea, hernia, and ringworm, as well as athlete's foot and other fungal
infections. India's traditional Ayurvedic healers have used Cloves since ancient
times to treat respiratory and digestive ailments. The medieval German herbalists
used cloves as part of anti-gout mixture. Early American Eclectic physicians used
cloves to treat digestive complaints, and they added it to bitter herbal medicines
to make them more palatable. Japanese researchers have discovered that like
many spices, clove contains antioxidants. Clove oil still is an active ingredient in
several mouthwash products and a number of over-the-counter toothache pain-
relief preparations. Cloves kill intestinal parasites and exhibits broad anti-
microbial properties against fungi and bacteria, thus supporting its traditional use
as a treatment for diarrhea, intestinal worms, and other digestive ailments. Like
many culinary spices, Cloves helps relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive
tract. And finally, eating cloves is said to be aphrodisiac.
Aroma: Warm, pungent and aromatic.
Character: Sweetly pungent, astringent and strongly aromatic.
Heat Level: 5

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
This is the dried seed of cilantro, a member of the parsley family. Seeds have
been found in ancient ruins dating back to 5000 B.C. It is used generously in
Indian dishes because of its mild flavor. Coriander is used extensively in curry
powders, masalas and berber. Coriander seeds may be roasted to enhance their
flavor.
Curative Qualities: Coriander seed oil is an aromatic stimulant, a carminative
(remedial in flatulence), an appetizer and a digestant stimulating the stomach
and intestines. It is generally beneficial to the nervous system. Coriander cakes
were once taken against ‘St. Anthony’s fire’, or ‘Rose’ a severe streptococcal skin
infection called ‘erysipelas”, which caused many deaths before the advent of
antibiotics. In Asia the herb is used against piles, headache and swellings; the
fruit in colic, piles and conjunctivitis; the essential oil in colic, rheumatism and
neuralgia; the seeds as a paste for mouth ulceration and a poultice for other
ulcers. Recent studies have supported its use as a stomach soother for both
adults and colicky babies. Coriander contains an antioxidant that helps prevent
animal fats from turning rancid. It also contains substances that kill meat-spoiling
bacteria and fungi. These same substances in Cilantro also prevent infection in
wounds. Coriander has been shown to improve tummy troubles of all kinds, from
indigestion to flatulence to diarrhea. Some parents make a weak coriander tea to
be given to children under age 2 for colic. It's believed to be safe for infants and
may relieve their pain and help you get some much-needed sleep.
Aroma: Seeds are sweet and aromatic when ripe. Unripe seeds are said to have
an offensive smell.
Character: The seeds are warm, mild and sweetish. There is a citrus undertone
similar to orange peel.
Heat level: 1

Cubeb Pepper (Piper cubeba )
As one can readily tell, this is a member of the pepper family. It is a hollow berry
that is a bit larger than the common black peppercorn. This Indonesian cousin is
sometimes confused with a Central African species commonly called ashanti
pepper. The ashanti has a tear-dropped shape. The Cubeb is round. It is an
essential ingredient in our Ras el Hanout.
Curative Qualities: Cubeb berry is considered a carminative, diuretic, expectorant,
stimulant, and antiseptic. It has often been used in the treatment of gonorrhea.
Cubeb Berry has been shown to be effective in easing the symptoms of chronic
bronchitis. It is also used for digestive ailments and is effective in treating
dysentery. Cubeb also has a local stimulating effect on the mucous membranes
of the urinary and respiratory tracts. The herb has often been associated with
the reproductive system and has been used to treat cystitis, leucorrhea,
urethritis, and prostate infections. Its action in regards to genital problems have
led many to believe that Cubeb has aphrodisiac properties and is often used in
traditional love spells.
Aroma: Pungent, slightly camphorous, with a touch of nutmeg.
Character: Peppery, aromatic and slightly bitter.
Heat Level: 3

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
This spice is the dried seed of a herbaceous plant that belongs to the parsley
family. It is a key ingredient in curry powder, garam masala and baharat. In
Morocco it is a key ingredient in street fare.
Curative Qualities: Cumin remains in use in the East as an herbal remedy for
many ills, including nausea during pregnancy. Cumin is stomachic, diuretic,
carminative, stimulant, astringent, emmenagogic and antispasmodic. It is
believed to be valuable in dyspepsia diarrhoea and hoarseness, and may relieve
flatulence and colic. In the West, it is now used mainly in veterinary medicine, as
a carminative, but it remains a traditional herbal remedy in the East. It is
supposed to increase lactation and reduce nausea in pregnancy. It has been
shown to be effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as diarrhea,
indigestion, and morning sickness. Used in a poultice, it relieves swelling of the
breast or the testicles. Cumin stimulates the appetite.
Aroma: Strong, heavy and warm. A spicy-sweet aroma.
Bouquet: Pungent, powerful, sharp and slightly bitter.
Heat Level: 3

Cumin, Black (Nigella sativa)
Another parsley relative, this tiny seed is widely used in India. Not only in a
culinary sense but also medicinal. In India the seeds are widely used to increase
the flow of mother's milk. Besides also taking care of nasty problems such as
intestinal worms, abscesses, hemorrhoids and lice, they add great flavor to
bread, cakes and curries.

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